Chapter 4

(Sylvie pov)

3 weeks and 2 days ago…

So this is how it was going to be?

Less than a week since Athos returned from Paris, and every day he spent away from home. He said he had to prepare for the assignment, and she couldn't do anything to make him rest for a couple hours, to make him have dinner with her. He left early in the morning and returned late - and she wasn't even sure he returned.

Sylvie didn't even bother asking him what the mission was, she could guess what it was from the things he brought back every night. Their kitchen resembled an armory with all the hunting gear, and their bedroom a noble's closet with all the silk shirts embroidered with gold threads.

Just last night he came back with a new horse saddle. She wouldn't have said anything if there hadn't been small flowers carved into the leather that he simply couldn't stop tracing his fingers over. She didn't even want to know how much it cost, since it was the Queen's money that was paying for all of this junk.

But she reached a breaking point when she woke up only to see that he had cut his hair and trimmed his beard, and suddenly he didn't look like himself. She didn't want to argue, but he was leaving in less than an hour, and she wanted to get at least some answers from him.

"Athos, what are you doing?"

He narrowed his eyes, and she couldn't tell if it was because of the rays of sun or confusion.

"What do you mean?"

She shook her head as he sat up beside her.

"Your hair. I thought you wanted to grow it out."

He shrugged.

"Too long. Didn't look proper."

It was her turn to look confused.

"What is that supposed to mean?!"

Athos just shrugged again.

"It looked unkempt."

Sylvie rolled her eyes and got out of bed.

"What do you even know about fashion?"

What did he even know about nobles? He served at court for years, and still didn't see the problem with having a noble class. If he couldn't see their greed, then what could he even see?

Athos also got out of bed and began pulling his trousers on.

"Believe me, not much. But the Queen does."

She looked over her shoulder away from the mirror that she stood in front of.

"So it was the Queen's order?"

He smirked slightly and for a second she could swear she saw a glimpse of something akin to amusement in his usually cold eyes.

"Something like that."

And for some reason she simply didn't believe him that the Queen went through all those troubles for an assignment of little importance.

Sylvie wanted to ask more but her line of thought was interrupted by a loud knock on the door.

She turned her head around and looked in the direction of the door and then at Athos expecting to see confusion on his face, instead he let out a heavy breath in exasperation and rushed to the door.

She could hear as the door opened and then closed.

Quickly pulling on her robe, she followed Athos. Considering the time and where Athos was about to go, she was sure this had something to do with his new work. And if Athos wasn't willing to give her answers, she would get them herself.

The door wasn't fully closed and she allowed herself to pull it open just a little bit more - just enough to see and to hear.

Before she could focus on what Athos was saying, her attention was drawn away to the person that stood in front of Athos.

A woman. A very beautiful woman.

Her dark hair was pulled up by something that looked like a silver thread.

Her neck was covered in more pearls than she had ever seen in her life.

Her dress hung off her shoulders giving everyone a generous view of her skin.

The dress itself was bright pink silk, covered in light pink embroidery, and sleeves puffed out just the right amount to highlight her perfect figure.

Whoever she was, she was rich, and she was powerful enough to allow herself to wear such things. If she had to guess: a rich widow.

Athos towered over her, standing a bit too close, as though trying to intimidate her, and the woman seemed amused, judging by her raised eyebrow.

"Our plans have changed."

"Why was I not informed?"

"My plans have changed."

"Doesn't answer my question."

"You just have to stuff everything into the carriage and we'll be on our way."

So this woman was going with Athos? Was she working for the Queen as well?

So many questions. And Athos would answer none of them. His habit of not telling her anything, of importance or not, was getting on her nerves. Sometimes a conversation with a wall was more productive than a conversation with him.

"Roger."

"Yes Athos, I did not forget about Roger. Now get dressed."

This reminded her that Athos was not wearing a shirt.

Sylvie looked between Athos and the woman, but neither seemed awkward about the fact that Athos was missing a shirt.

"I don't work for you."

"No you don't. But the Queen ordered me to make sure your first time goes smoothly."

"Wait here."

"Oh don't worry. I don't think there is even one thing in this house that I would want to steal. Or maybe not..?"

Athos fixed the woman with a glare and headed back towards the door. Sylvie had just enough time to run back to the bedroom to avoid being seen by him.

Whoever this woman was, she knew Athos. And Athos knew her.

They could have met at the palace? But Athos was not one to associate with nobles, or anyone at all.

So who was she?

Her thoughts were interrupted when Athos walked in.

He picked a white shirt, the collar of which was covered in lace, almost matching the woman's dress, and as he tied it he looked like a different person. His posture was always stiff, no doubt from years of soldiering, but now it seemed as though he was looking at everything from above, his nose and chin raised. And when he put on the light brown doublet…

He looked like one of them.

She supposed that was the whole point, but the ease with which he adopted the look frightened her.

But then she saw the look in his eyes - he didn't just look tired, he looked like a ghost.

He took a deep breath and walked up to her. And it took her everything not to step away as he pulled her into a hug. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and locked his eyes on hers.

"A week. Ten days at most. I give you my word."

She bit her lips trying not to cry as he stepped away and left her alone. Sitting down on the bed she covered her face with her hands and cursed the day she asked him to find work.